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Zeolite: an Emerging Tool for Mine Reclamation
Get PDFTailings sites left from mining operations contain heavy metals which have the potential to bioaccumulate and leech into the surrounding soil and watersheds. Although some heavy metals are essential for biological processes, higher concentrations can be toxic and negatively impact nearby ecosystems and human health. Current tailings reclamation processes are often insufficient in preventing heavy metal bioaccumulation or too expensive and time demanding to be realistically incorporated into mine reclamation strategies. Absorbent porous minerals have been used in industrial wastewater management to remove contaminants. In this study we used one such absorbent mineral, zeolite, to test its ability in neutralizing lead, arsenic and cadmium metals in gold and copper mine tailings. We compared three different concentrations of zeolite in tailings soil and the subsequent effects on plant growth. Although treatment differences in plant biomass was not statistically significant in relation to zeolite concentrations, forthcoming data on heavy metal uptake by the plants will offer more detailed information on the zeolites affect on plant growth. The two native plants used, bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata) and field locoweed (Oxytropis campestris), responded differently to the pH and zeolite tailings treatments. The soil acidity significantly impacted field locoweed biomass; alkaline tailings was correlated with increased biomass. Biomass of field locoweed also showed a trend of increasing in relation to increased concentration of zeolite. The opposite was true for bluebunch wheatgrass. The results of this study indicate that although the zeolite treatment may be beneficial in increasing biomass and reducing heavy metal uptake in plants, species respond differently to reclamation treatments. This study points to zeolite in combination with field locoweed as being a new and useful tool for mine tailings reclamation in the interior of British Columbia
Effects of Asymmetry in Landfill Gas Flow
Get PDFThe most common method of waste disposal in North America is the use of landfills. Landfill gas refers to the hazardous emissions produced by the waste in a landfill. Landfill gas needs to be controlled, which is done by extracting the gas through wells placed horizontally or vertically and then removing it from the area. Predicting the effect of a change in the function of a single well on the other wells in the landfill is very important to the design and operation of a landfill. The integrated normal flux between cells is an important parameter for a prediction model of this type. This is because the flux is equal to the difference in production of the two wells in question, which is a very easy thing to measure in the field. The effect of asymmetry on the landfill gas flow field in configurations with multiple suction points placed side by side or stacked was determined. The flux was found to have quite simple dependencies on the relative suction strengths of other cells in close proximity. As such, the proposed models would be easy to set up in many different configurations
Measuring the Effect of Sympathetic Nervous Activation on Carotid Arterial Longitudinal Motion
No full textArteries within the systemic circulation bring oxygenated blood from the heart to organs. These vessels act as reservoirs by storing elastic potential energy by stretching when blood enters them with each heart contraction, then return this energy to the circulation to help propel blood throughout the periphery. This distention of the large arteries has been extensively studied and decreases with aging, a process known as arteriosclerosis. Less well studied, however, is the movement of the inner lining of arteries in the longitudinal direction (with or against the direction of blood flow) which was only recently discovered. Links have been drawn between attenuation of this movement and heightened cardiovascular disease risk suggesting that potential exists for a clinical application as a diagnostic tool; however, the physiological factors that confound this metric first need to be better understood. One factor is activity of the sympathetic nervous system, the component of the autonomic nervous system activated under stress. The aim of this research was to measure the effect of sympathetic activation on the longitudinal motion of the common carotid artery. This involved ultrasound imaging coupled with custom software to quantify the longitudinal motion of the artery during two sympathetic nervous system manipulations: a cold pressor test and post-exercise circulatory occlusion. Various physiological parameters (ECG, blood pressure, respiration rate) were also continuously measured. A cross-correlational analysis between these parameters and carotid arterial longitudinal motion was performed to explain relationships between the sympathetic activation and longitudinal movement of the artery
Evolutionary Association Between Ultraviolet Light, Migration Distance and Non-breeding Latitude and Secondary Moults in North American and European Migratory Passerines
No full textMost migratory birds moult after breeding, replacing worn-out feathers from the previous season with new feathers, just prior to beginning their migratory journey south to the tropics. However, some species of migratory birds undergo a second moult on their overwintering grounds, replacing some, or all, of their feathers. Not all migratory birds undergo this prealternate moult and the evolutionary drivers of this behaviour remain unclear, but one potential driver of this strategy could be disproportionately high amounts of feather wear in species that undergo a second moult. The three main sources of wear I examined were ultra-violet (UV) radiation, migration distance, and migratory latitude. Birds exposed to longer day lengths throughout the winter due to their wintering location are exposed to a higher amount of UV radiation. Because migration is an intensive process requiring maneuvering harsh terrain and variable weather conditions, longer migration distances may lead to a higher amount of wear. Finally, the latitude at which birds overwinter may affect the amount of wear on their feathers through habitat or environmental conditions. Using a phylogenetic logistic regression to control for shared ancestry, I found that species undergoing a longer migration, wintering at more southern latitudes, and those experiencing longer and more variable day lengths all showed an evolutionary association with prealternate moult. In other words, my results suggest that high feather wear experienced by some migratory passerines drove the evolution of a secondary moult
How Can We Help?
No full textThe panel, experienced TRU Counsellors, will share narratives woven from actual cases, to probe, with us, the mysteries that are our students. In their role, counsellors come to know our students in ways the rest of us may never come close to. They support them through those unexpected crises that threatens to upend the student; the frailties that the student barely acknowledges; the on-going complex conditions or situations that can make student life seem impossible. The presenters will provide stories that span that range, seeking from participants what we might need from them, in order for us to help each other, in our complementary roles so that, together, we can serve and support our students well
Drive Across the World: An Intercultural Game
No full textThis session will have the audience partake in a much-loved student intercultural activity – ideal for classes with diverse cultures. The activity begins with a Drive Across Canada game. A map of Canada is drawn on the board with some major cities highlighted. Students are divided into small groups (ideally 4 groups with each group assigned a different marker colour). The instructor then asks Wh-Q about Canada with multiple-choice answers to the groups. The groups discuss which answer is correct. If the answer given is correct, that group ‘drives’ to the next major city. If not, it stays where it is. The first team to drive across Canada, wins. Then students are divided into groups of the same culture. They create their own map of the country they come from with their own questions. Students then ‘drive’ across all the countries presented in class
Decolonization, Reconciliation, and Indigenization at BC Universities and Colleges
No full textThe presenters will describe current initiatives of the Decolonization, Reconciliation & Indigenization Standing Committee (DRISC) of FPSE Federation of Post-Secondary Educators of British Columbia. FPSE “supports the inherent and collective rights of Indigenous Peoples to rights of sovereignty and self-determination, and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, especially through supporting the development and implementation of education on Indigenous themes for students at their members’ post-secondary educational institutions”. The presenters will speak about Decolonization, Reconciliation, and Indigenization efforts at their respective institutions, and how these efforts relate to teaching and learning across the post-secondary curriculum
Nursing Students\u27 Identification of Quality Indicators During a Third Year Summer Preceptorship
No full textBackground: Baccalaureate nursing education provides students the opportunity to develop the theoretical knowledge and clinical skills necessary to become successful, practicing Registered Nurses. A pivotal part of nursing education is the ability to practice clinical skills in a professional setting under the supervision of nurse preceptors. However, there is limited research on how students view or value such an experience. Using a mixed-methodology approach, this study was aimed at evaluating the preceptorship experiences of third-year student nurses at a nursing school in British Columbia. Methods: A literature review was conducted before gathering student data; seventeen articles were used for this research. Through a combination of survey and focus groups, both quantitative and qualitative data were used to evaluate the effectiveness of preceptors, unit staff, and clinical placements on student experiences. Themes were developed according to Krueger\u27s Framework (Krueger, 1994).Results: Twenty-eight students responded to the survey (n=82), providing a 35% response rate. In the survey, respondents predicted approachability would be the most important quality in their preceptor. Eleven students (n=82) participated in the interviews and the themes of workplace culture, relational practice, preparedness, and scheduling emerged. Conclusion: Findings from this study provide novel understanding of students’ perceptions of preceptors which can help inform nursing curriculum development related to preceptorship experiences